Thursday, January 25, 2007

AusAid boosts funding for NGO's working on peace, youth and women's activities in SI

The Australian Government’s development agency, AusAID, has provided an additional 9-million dollars boost in funding for NGO’s working on peace, youth and women’s activities.

AusAID says the extra 9-million dollars funding means Australia’s three year funding of 30-million dollars for NGO's will continue for another 12 months.

AusAID’s Director General, Bruce Davis, has said during his recent visit that the aim of the NGO program is to help local NGO's deliver better services to the community focusing on peace training, youth and women’s activities.

Mr Davis said there is real value for the people of Solomon Islands in productive work by NGOs that supports peace, youth and women’s activities.

He said Australia has decided to extend the NGO program to ensure that communities continue to benefit from practical NGO activities.

Mr Davis said, churches and other community based organisations working with women and youth play an important role in community governance at the local level.

TARD is a neutral, non-profit, "youth initiated, youth led" volunteer group established in August 2005 by To'abaita (a geographical region in Solomon Islands) university students studying in Fiji, with a goal to bridge community development barriers and pursue potential rural community initiatives and aspirations for North Malaita Constituency, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands.

We are also committed to promote community awareness on important issues including gender equality, human rights, health and sanitation, education, cultural preservation, and good governance in the North Malaita Constituency. TARD membership currently comprises more than fifty scholars and young working elites in several countries throughout the Pacific. We hope to achieve our vision by working in partnership with the national government, provincial leaders, rural communities, and genuine donors.

Our vision for North Malaita and the Solomon Islands is that of a safe and sustainable society, whose people are healthy and prosperous.

Our mission is working for a better tomorrow. This can be achieved by helping rural communities make informed decisions and implement potential community development initiatives that will benefit them.

2. TARD Partial Bursary Scheme for North Malaita community high school & Vocational students [At least 50 scholarships each worth SBD$200 to start in sem 2 2008 until sem 1 2009]-Supported by generous donation